AuthorTopic: Receiver wire routing and length (Read 2105 times)

I've recently returned to model boats after a (rather large) gap and i think i'm in need of a bit of guidance (quite a lot actually). Hope someone can help.

I bought a second hand, complete, Lisa M, just to help me get started (and I like the boat!).

So, first question is about the radio gear it came with:-It's an Acoms ap202 transmitter/receiver on 27Mhz (it all seems to work) when close to the boat.Does anyone know how long this aerial should be and how it should be routed in the boat (it has been connected to a removable metal antenna on the top of the superstructure).The wire out of the receiver is about 19" long and then the metal antenna is 11" long.

Hi,Cheers for the reply.I guess i was more asking about what the length of the receiver wire should be (ie. has it been shortened from its original length to accommodate the metal antenna?). I'm thinking of re-routing the aerial away from the motor to reduce any potential interference. If i do this. how much of the aerial should be external to the boat (if any)?Thanks,Mark

Generally its to provide a greater volumetric area for signals to be picked up, for example running the length of the boat or up masts, the shorter the length the less 'capture' you get. Ive extended some of mine and coiled up so its personal choice.

The ideal length is 39 inches, that's a quarter wave antenna if my old memory is still working, but in most boats this isn't critical as range is seldom an issue. What's more important is to have as much as is practical above the decks, inside the hull is a bad idea. To reduce interference, make sure you suppress the motor, and route the aerial away from the motor and power lines. Of course, the best answer is to get a 2.4 gig set, as has been said they are much better Chas

Don't try and run 2.4GHz aerials inside a fully carbon moulded hull, being conductive microwave radio will not pass through it. Carbon sailplane fuselages have shown this, as long as you have the ends of the aerial outside the hull this will work.Jim

It's been working consistently inside a carbon Kevlar hull, under a 6mm plexiglass lid, with a steel pipe over it, next to six servos (digital) for nearly a year, having been on the water with other boats, and at speeds around 50mph

My eldest did that in the RE.Everywhere in the middle eastby chopper, airstair was a long rope Ned

Nice one you must be very proud .My son has just landed Stateside with his squad and the Royal marines they re doing a few manoeuvres with the American Marines its Brits versus Americans , should be a doddle he reckons lol .

Hi I have found over the years that as long as there is some vertical above deck part of the aerial then all works OK. You can also put a connector on the aerial and plug it into a metal mast etc, which I do on some boats. Total aerial length does not seem to matter much.